Soles4Souls, Inc. is challenging all members of the media to go barefoot for at least  4 consecutive hours in public during the week and report its effects to your audience

Contact: Kim Dettwiller, kimd@giveshoes.org, 615-391-5723; Chris Carmichael, chrisc@giveshoes.org, 615-391-5723 x 143; both with Soles4Souls

NASHVILLE, May 28 /Standard Newswire/ -- Soles4Souls Inc., the international shoe charity dedicated to providing a free pair of shoes to people in need, is challenging members of the media to become an important part of the Soles4Souls story.  During the non-profit's second annual "Barefoot Week" celebrations (June 1 - 7), the charity will be distributing thousands of shoes in five cities across the United States.

The weeklong series of events encourages public participation in one of the hundreds of concurrent shoe drives, fun runs & walkathons, retail trade-in events, concerts, festivals and more.  Media members can take part by removing your shoes while on-air (or writing an article about the experience) and relating to the audience the feel of walking barefoot in public.  There are an estimated 300 million children in the world who are forced to go barefoot in unsanitary conditions (unlike our own manicured sidewalks and groomed public right of ways).

Various celebrities are lending their support to Barefoot Week in hopes of encouraging more participation with Soles4Souls.  Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Simpson, Randy Jackson, Zach Braff, Kellie Pickler, Tim Gunn, Antawn Jamison, Nick Lachey, Lance Bass, Riddick Bowe, Luke Perry, Amy Grant, and Chris Hope (among many other celebrities) are all supporting Soles4Souls.

Celebrity quotes are available upon request, as well as a full list of dates and times for each event.  Consider joining the charity's goal to "change the world, one pair at a time."

If you decide to participate, let the staff at Soles4Souls know so they can add your company's logo and website to their "Corporate Friends" list.  Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

About Soles4Souls
Nashville-based Soles4Souls(tm) facilitates the donations of both new and used shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Soles4Souls has distributed more than 5 million pairs (currently donating one pair every 13 seconds) to people in over 125 countries, including Honduras, Uganda, Romania, and the United States.  The charity has been featured recently in Runner's World and the Green Guide by National Geographic.  It has also appeared on CNN, NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, and hundreds of regional outlets around North America.  Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

CONTACT
Kim Dettwiller, kimd@giveshoes.org or 615.391.5723
Chris Carmichael, chrisc@giveshoes.org or 615.391.5723 x 143